UK passes 2m-line ADSL milestone

BT chuffed to bits, apparently

There are now more than two million ADSL connections in the UK, according to figures revealed by dominant telco BT.

Chuffed to bits that it's taken just eight months to notch up its "second million", BT's chief exec, Ben Verwaayen, said: "The phenomenal growth we are now seeing in the broadband market is excellent news for the whole economy, and for the UK broadband industry in general. Over the next few years we will all have to continue to work hard to maintain this momentum, but I have no doubt that this is absolutely achievable."

BT is keen to make it known that it's really put its weight behind broadband over the last couple of years.

For example, nine out of ten homes and businesses are expected to be connected to a broadband-enabled exchange by the summer. While as of today, some 2350 telephone exchanges are broadband-enabled with more than 800 in the pipeline ready to be wired up for ADSL.

As far as BT is concerned, the UK is the "most competitive broadband market in the world" with more than 150 customer-facing ADSL providers and cable companies accounting for about 40 per cent market share.

Snag is, not everyone sees it like that. Only last week, AOL UK called for greater wholesale ADSL competition in a bid to stimulate the market and drive growth and innovation.

And earlier this month an influential group of MPs found that the UK lacks effective wholesale broadband competition and needs regulatory intervention to restore confidence to the industry. ®